New York Times in Alabama Investigating Bentley’s Diversion of BP Funds

The New York Times are in Alabama investigating the diversion of $1.8 million of BP money by Gov. Robert Bentley to restore his Governor’s mansion at the Gulf.

A press release from Hope Curry, Executive Assistant to State Auditor Jim Zeigler read,

Times investigative reporter Alan Blinder and a Times photographer went to Fort Morgan in Baldwin County Monday investigating the property that sat unused for 18 years until Bentley diverted $1.8 million of BP funds to fix it.  Bentley’s decision came in November, two months after he lost his own Gulf homes in a divorce from his wife of 50 years.

A series on the investigation could run in the Times starting this weekend.

The Times team continued to Montgomery Tuesday and separately interviewed the two state officials on opposite sides of the controversy – Bentley and State Auditor Jim Zeigler, who is opposing the expenditure.

State Auditor Jim Zeigler said,

This would have been the right thing to do since the state left the property abandoned and deteriorating for 18 years. If the state was going to keep it and use it, they should have repaired it in a timely manner right after it was damaged by Hurricane Danny in 1997. You do not let a damaged property sit unused and deteriorating for 18 years. That is irresponsible.

Zeigler also pointed out that the state operates the Loxley Work Release Center in Baldwin County and could use inmates on work release to repair and maintain the property without using an excessive amount of taxpayer money.

Gov. Bentley spokesperson Jennifer Ardis has stated that the state will use the house mainly as a tool for economic development but it may also be used to entertain business executives considering Alabama for projects.